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No 6|9,45|. Patented Feb. 14, I899.

T. L. VALEBIUS.

AUTOMATIC FLUID DELIVERY APPARATUS.

(Application filed Sept. 2, 1897.) (No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet l.

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T. L.-VALEBIUS. AUTOMATIC FLUID DELIVERY APPARATUS.

(Application filed Sept. 2, 1897.)

3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

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No. 619,45l. Patented Feb. l4,' I899. T. L. VALEBIUS.

AUTOMATIC FLUID DELIVERY APPARATUS.

(Application filed Sept. 2. 1897.)

(No Model.) 4 3 SheetsSheet 3.

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PA ENT THEODORE L. VALERIUS, OF FORT ATKINSON, WVISOONSIN, ASSIGNOR TO THE OORNISH, CURTIS & GREENE MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF SAME PLACE.

AUTOMATIC FLUID-DELIVERY APPARATUS SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 619,451, dated February 14, 1899.

Application filed September 2, 1897. Serial No. 650,383. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, THEODORE L.VALERIUS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Fort Atkinson, in the county of J effersonand State of Wisconsin, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Automatic Fluid-Delivery Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to that class of machines designed to deliver a certain and determinate quantity of fluid upon the deposit of a check or token, each check or token having a certain unit value and accordingly regulating or determining the flow of liquid when an amount equal to the value of the check has passed through the apparatus.

The object of the invention is to provide a simple and efficient machine for carrying out the foregoing operation.

Referring to the annexed drawings, Figure l is a longitudinal vertical sectional View of the apparatus; Fig. 2, a top plan view of a portion of the operative mechanism, the parts being shown in working relation; Fig. 3, a similar view, the parts being separated and in a position in which the check or token may be placed in position; Fig. 4, a cross-sectional view of the fluid-motor, taken on the line 1 1 of Fig. 1; Fig. 5, a cross-sectional view taken on the line 2 2, Fig. 1 and Fig. 6, a perspective view of one of the checks or tokens.

Broadly stated, the machine comprises a fluid-supply, a fluid-actuated motor, checkreceiving mechanism, and motor releasing and stop devices designed to be brought into successive operation by the check.

Referring to the drawings, A designates the casing, which may be of any desired form, and is designed to inclose the mechanism, as is usual in such machines.

B denotes a fluid-supply pipe connected with any general source, and C a downwardlyseating valve mounted therein, the stem D of which extends down into the supply-outlet E and is connected to one end of a bell-crank lever F. Said lever F is pivoted in the rear end of a frame G, secured within the casing, the frame being formed with two depending arms H H, provided with openings at or near their lower end, in which is freely mounted a bar I, carrying at its rear end a set-screw or nut J, against which the depending arm of the bell-crank lever F rests.

K denotes ashaft mounted in suitable bearings, carrying at its upper end a gear-wheel L and near its lower end a ratchet-wheel M. A shaft N, mounted at right angles to shaft K, extends rearwardly therefrom and carries at its forward end an anchor 0, having downwardly-extending arms or pallets P and Q, designed to coact with the ratchet-wheel M and to impart motion thereto. Upon that portion of the shaft immediately below the supply-spout E there is mounted the fluidmot-or, which comprises two buckets R and S, placed upon opposite sides of the shaft. A valve-seat is formed in the bottom of each bucket and a suspended valve T is provided for each, the parts being so arranged and adjusted that when the buckets and shaft vibrate or tip to one side one valve will be opened and the other closed. The valves are formed of rubber balls, through which a wire T is passed and secured, the lower protruding end thereof serving as a guide for the valve. The ball is perforated upon the lower side, as at T to permit any liquid to pass out therefrom which may have leaked in.

To limit the throw of the buckets, arms U are provided, which abut or strike against stops V, secured to the casing, as shown in Fig. 4. These stops will preferably be faced with leather or other yielding material.

Oounterbalancing-weights W are used in connection with the buckets, and, as shown in Figs. 1 and 4 and they are mounted between two guide-rods X, secured as shown, adjustable stop-screws Y being provided to limit and regulate the movement of the weights and consequently the movement of the buckets. These buckets serve to weigh or measure the liquid, and by moving the screws out or in they may be made to weigh more or less and the machine thus adjusted to deliver the exact amount of liquid called for by the check deposited. In the position shown in Fig. 4, assuming the supply-valve to be open, the liquid will be discharged into bucket S, and said bucket will remain in the position shown until the liquid shall have reached the amount that it will overbalance the weights WV and tip down, thus opening its valve and permitting the liquid to discharge. At the same instant bucket R will of course be elevated,

its valve closed, and the liquid discharged therein from the supply-outlet E, the counterweights WV meanwhile having shifted over to the opposite side. The above operation will continue so long as the valve remains in its elevated position, the buckets filling and emptying alternately, and a reciprocating motion being imparted to shaft N, and a rotary motion to shaft K and gear L through the ratchet-wheel M and anchor 0.

Norm ally the valve will remain seated, due to the pressure of the liquid thereon. The mechanism by which the valve is raised and held in such position for a determinate period will now be described.

A frame a is slidably mounted upon guides 12, extending longitudinally of the front portion of the case, said frame being connected to a push-rod c, which extends out through the front of the casing, terminating in a handle d. At the front of said frame a I provide an upwardly-projecting arm or shield to, which when said frame is moved in to its extreme position comes into contact, or nearly so, with a depending rib (L2, formed upon the casing. This construction precludes the insertion of sticks or the like into the operative parts of the machine for the purpose of throwing out of action certain parts and operating the machine successively with but one check.

Frame a is provided with a vertically-disposed opening, in which is journaled a shaft e, said shaft having secured to its upper end a gear or pinion f, the shaft extending slightly above the pinion, forming a stud g. A key 71. is formed to one side of the stud g, said parts determining the position of the check 11 when it is placed in position upon the upper face of gear f. Said check, as will be seen upon reference to Fig. 6, is provided with a central opening J, designed to receive the central stud g, a radial opening or slot 7c extending from the central opening, said slot receiving the key It. A projection or nose Zis formed on the check, its outer face being curved on the arc of a circle, as shown. The length of the curved face of the projection will be varied for determining the length of time the valve shall remain-open, for, as will presently appear, this projection opens the valve and retains it in its open position for a determinate time. However much the length of this surface is varied one end must always be in line with the radial slot 7c, in order that when it is in position and the frame shoved in said nose or surface will come in contact with the forward end of bar I and push it rearwardly, thus elevating the valve.

To the lower end of shaft or spindle 6 there is secured a coiled spring m, the opposite end being attached to the frame a, as shown in Fig. 1. The spring is placed under slight tension by elevating the shaft and turning it to the left, after which it is again dropped into place, the spring acting to turn it to the right. A stop is placed upon the under face of the gear and serves to determine the normal position of the gear, which is such that the key h is always to the rear of the stud g or in the position indicated in Figs. 2 and 3.

A spring-detent 0 is pivoted upon frame a and engages the teeth of gear f when the frame and gear are moved back into operative relation with gear L, as shown in Fig. 2, the detent being moved out of engagement with the teeth by a fixed cam 19, when the frame is drawn forward into the position Fig. 3. An adjustable arm q is secured to the depending arm h and projects out over the check when the gears are in mesh. (See Figs. 1 and 2.)

To release or remove the check from the gear when the handle is drawn forward, a gravitating cross-bar 'r' is employed, hinged between the sides of the casin g, as shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3. Preferably the bar is slightly beveled at its forward edge and is provided with a curved recess .9, the points of the bar thus formed entering beneath the check as the handle is withdrawn, lifting it from its seat and allowing it to drop down into the casing below, whence it can be removed through a door 25. An arm to is connected to frame a, and as the frame is shoved inward it passes beneath bar 0', elevating the same and permitting the check to pass freely under without any liability of its being forced from its position. This arm is not absolutely essential, but is preferably used. A guard 12 is provided and extends over ratchet-wheel M to prevent the checks from lodging thereon.

To permit the checks to be placed in position upon gear f, an opening w is provided, as shown in Fig. 1, and a guard as is secured below said opening to prevent withdrawal of the deposited checks which have been used.

The operation of the machineis as follows: Assuming the parts to be in the relation shown in dotted lines, Fig. 1, and full lines, Fig. 3, the party desiring to secure a certain amount of liquid deposits a check through opening w upon the gear f, the stud g and key It determining its exact and proper relation thereon. The handle is then shoved in and the gears f and L thrown into mesh, the nose Z of the check at the same time forcing bar I to the rear, opening the valve. The liquid will immediately begin to flow and, as before described, will impart a rotary motion to gear L through the intermediate mechanism. The gears being in mesh, gear f will be driven to the left, as indicated by the arrows in Fig. 2, carrying the check with it. The gears will continue to rotate so long as nose land bar I remain in contact; but immediately the check is carried so far around that said bar no longer bears upon it the valve will close and the motor stop. The apparatus cannot again be started until the handle is withdrawn and a new check put in position. Upon withdrawal of the handle crossbar 7* will disengage the check and immediately it is removed. Detent 0 comes in contact with cam 19, withdrawing thedetent from gear f, permitting spring on to return said gear to its normal position ready to receive another check.

The apparatus is designed especially to be used by large creameries, where the milk is deprived of its cream and the skim-milk returned to the seller. Checks are issued to the seller in accordance with the amount of milk left to be separated. The checks will be made to represent different values, and by making the curved nose or projection f wider the barI will of course remain in cont-act therewith for a longer period, and consequently more liquid will pass through the machine.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is 1. In an automatic fluid-delivery apparatus, the combination of a source of supply a valve for controlling the same; a fluid-motor; a movable check-holder adapted to be moved into operative relation with the motor; and connections between said holder and the mo-' tor for moving said holder and thereby closing the valve.

2. In combination with a fluid-supply; a valve; a fluid-motor; rotary check-receiving mechanism adapted to be moved into operative relation with the motor, and to receive a deposited check for opening the valve; and connections between the motor and said check-receiving mechanism for moving said mechanism and the deposited check, thereby permitting the valve to close.

3. In combination with a fluid-supply; a valve; a fluid-motor; a movable check-holding device designed to be moved into operative relation with said motor, and to receive a check for opening the valve, and holding it open until a determinate quantity of liquid has been discharged.

4. In an automatic fluid-delivery mechanism; the combination of a source of supply; a valve opened by a deposited check; a fluidmotor for controlling the position of said check with relation to the valve, said motor comprising two oscillating buckets provided with valves for discharging their contents alternately; and counterweights actingin conjunction with said buckets.

5. In an automatic fluid-delivery mechanism, the combination of a source of supply; a valve openedby a deposited check; a fluidmotor comprising two oscillating buckets; discharge-valves for said buckets; counterweights mounted upon said buckets and designed to move from side to side thereof; and means for limiting the movement of said weights.

above the same; counterweights mounted upon said buckets and designed to move from side to side thereof; and means for limiting the movement of said weights.

7. In an automatic fluid-delivery mechanism, the combination of a source of supply; a valve opened by a deposited check; a fluidmotor comprising two oscillating buckets; valve-seats in said buckets; valves suspended above the same; counterweights mounted thereon and movable fromside to side thereof; means for limiting the movement of said weights; and means for limiting the elevation of the buckets.

8. In an automatic fluid-delivery mechanism, the combination of a source of supply; a valve; a fluid-motor; and a reciprocating check-holder movable toward and from said motorinto and out of operative relation therewith, and designed to receive a deposited check for releasing the valve and causing it to remain open a determinate period.

9. In an automatic vending apparatus, the combination of a movable check-carrier; and a pivoted cross-bar provided with a curved recess in its edgeinline with said carrier, substantially as and for the purpose described.

10. In an automatic vending-machine, the

combination of a rotary check-holder; means carried by said holder for determining the relation of the deposited check thereto; and means for returning said holder to its original position after the machine has been operated and the check removed.

11. In an automatic vending-machine, the combination of a reciprocating and rotary check-holder; and a check-remover designed to permit the holder and check to pass under in one direction, and to remove the check as the holder is withdrawn.

12. In an automatic vending-machine, the combination of a reciprocating and rotary check-holder; means for rotating said holder as the machine discharges; and means for maintaining said holder in its rotated position until it is withdrawn.

13. In an automatic vending-machine, the combination of a reciprocating and rotary check-holder; means for rotating said holder as the machine discharges; means for releasin g the check as the holder is withdrawn; and means for maintaining said holder in its r0- tated position until the check is discharged.

14:. In an automatic vending-machine, the combination of a reciprocating frame; a checkholder journaled therein; a spring and stop for maintaining said holder in a determinate position; a check-releaser designed to remove the check as the holder is withdrawn a springdetent designed to hold said check-holder in its rotated position; and a cam for releasing said detent.

15. In an automatic vending-machine, the combination of a reciprocating frame a checkholder carried thereby; a check-remover pivoted in line with said holder; and an arm carried by said frame for raising said check- IIO remover outof operative relation as the frame is moved forward.

16. In an automatic vending-machine, the combination of arotary check-holder; means for rotating the same and delivering the goods; and an arm extending out over said holder for retaining the check in place while being rotated.

17. In an automatic vending-machine, the combination of a valve; a rotary check-holder movable toward and from said valve; and connections for the valve adapted to be operated upon by a deposited check to open the valve, and to permit the valve to close when the check is rotated a predetermined distance.

18. In an automatic vending-machine, the combination of avalve; arotary check-holder movable toward and from said valve; a bellcrank lever F connected to the valve; and a bar I mounted in suitable bearings and forming a connection between said lever F and a deposited check.

19. In an automatic fluid-delivery mechanism, the combination of a source of supply, a valve; a fluid-motor comprising two oscillating buckets to alternately receive and discharge the fluid to be delivered; an anchor O; shaft K carrying gear L and ratchetwheel M; a rotary check-holder designed to be moved by said gear L; and means substantially as described for opening and closing the valve through the agency of a deposited check.

20. As a new article of manufacture, an operating-check for vending apparatus provided with a central opening or recess; a radial slot extending from said opening to the periphery; and a nose or projection provided with a curved face formed contiguous to said slot.

21. In an automatic fluid-delivery mechanism, the combination of a source of supply; a valve; means, substantially as described, for opening and closing the valve through the agency of a deposited check; a fluid-motor having two buckets each provided with a discharge-outlet substantially as described; and a valve for said outlets comprising a rubber ball having a suspending-wire passed therethrough and projecting into the outlet, and perforations formed in the lower side of the ball.

22. In a vending-machine, the combination of a frame or casing provided with an openin g for the deposit of a check or token; areciprocating check-holder normally standing beneath said opening and provided with an upstanding projection occupying a position in rear of the opening when the holder is in its normal position, and designed as the holder is moved forward into its operative positionto pass to the other side of the opening and cut off access therethrough to the holder, substantially as described.

In witness whereof I hereunto set my hand in the presence of two witnesses.

THEODORE L. VALE RIUS.

Witnesses:

BELLE MCMILLEN, S. S. SwAsEY. 

